In Colossians 1:24 Paul said he made up in his suffering “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Since Christ’s sacrifice is perfect, what Paul means is what is lacking is our sacrifice. God wants all of our sacrifices in this life to be united to Christ so that, as a family, we can help one another be full of grace and free from the effects of sin. That’s why St. Paul says if we are children of God then we are both heirs of God, “and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him [emphasis added] in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17).
